A Simple Denim Sundress

When you feel summer breathing it’s final breath before we jump into cooler weather, what better way to push back than to make something wholly seasonably inappropropriate?

To be fair, this “cooler weather” that I complain about is still probably quite balmy for most of you guys! And while this make is decidedly a sundress, it layers well and can easily carry itself into at least the first half of autumn. If I was a hipper person, I’d wear this with a white t-shirt and embrace my inner Cher Horowitz, but I just can’t bring back that aspect of the 90s, I’m sorry. Layer this with a cropped sweater and some fun tights – yes, count me in! Anyway, today y’all have to look at it as the sundress version.

I bought this lightweight denim fabric earlier in the year at the Mood Fabrics flagship store in NYC. I was looking for denim to make shorts, and came across this roll of very fine, lightweight, and narrow Japanese denim (this denim available online is remarkably similar, albeit a bit wider!). It’s definitely too light to be suitable as a bottomweight, but I thought it would work well as a dress. I would guess that most people don’t think of the words “denim” and “sundress” in conjunction with one another, but I think a light enough denim can keep you cool while also making you look cool 😉

I originally had this earmarked for a shirt dress, but once I remembered the Centarée pattern existed I quickly changed gears. This pattern is a fun twist on your basic sundress – the darts are rotated into interesting seamlines that create a star shape on the bodice, unlined and finished with self bias binding, with a simple gathered skirt.

To really play up the denim factor, I added loads of topstitching 1/8″ away from the seamlines, using gold topstitching thread. I added some simple patch pockets to the skirt to bring a little more topstitching to the bottom half (also, protip, these pockets are perfectly sized to hold a Christie Cookie… which I tested immediately after taking these photos lol). I hemmed the skirt above the knee, with a nice wide hem allowance. All seams are finished with my serger and the dress closes with an invisible zipper hidden in the side seam.

I get asked a lot what is my favorite fabric to work with and what are my favorite things to sew, and honestly – I have a lot of favorites (don’t make me pick just oneee!), but a top contender is anything that involves denim! Denim is so easy to work with, as it stays stable while cutting/pinning/sewing, takes a press like a champion, is suitable for a multitude of seam finishes, and it can be dressed up or down depending on if you topstitch (and then… what color you choose!). It’s such an easy, versatile fabric that effortlessly fits in everyone’s wardrobe and budget. And bonus if you can use it to make something a little unconventional – like a sundress! Denim FTW y’all.

A Simple Denim Sundress was last modified: October 23rd, 2018 by Lladybird